Searching for Birth Family?
Advocating for Adoption in Personal Genetics Testing BY: KIT MITCHELL In 2003, the completion of the Human Genome Project opened the way for a large-scale private sector investment in genetic technologies.1 As synthesizing genes became less costly, companies like 23andMe, Ancestry, and others, were able to market home testing kits to the general public. Anyone can […]
Putting the Pieces Together: The Significance of the Child’s Story
BY: DEBBIE WYNNE, MSED., LPC-S, LCPAA, RPT-S Curiosity about who we are, where we came from, and our significance in life is universal. Today, opportunities abound to search family history to fill in the missing pieces of the past, whether a family member shares stories from one generation to the next or we search on […]
Good night. Sleep tight. Sleep safe.
The Michigan Department of Heath and Human Services shared tips for safe sleep for infants. Follow these tips for safe sleep during every nap and night-time routine: Place your baby on their back, in a crib, bassinet or pack-n-play for every sleep time. Use a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet. Keep baby’s sleep […]
Save the Date – Spring Gala!
Please mark your calendar for April 14, 2018, to join us as we celebrate adoption with great food and silent auction items at our Annual Spring Gala in Northville, Michigan. More details to follow!
Expert Advice
Did you miss this? Last week, NBC 25 News, as well as Fox 66 News out of the Saginaw-Bay City-Flint area ran this piece on one of AAI’s families, Jonathan and Amber Herron, and our very own Jennifer Jaworski, caseworker for the Saginaw-Flint area. What a wonderful way to end National Adoption Awareness Month. http://wsmh.com/…/family-whos-adopted-4-children-shares-adv…
Together We Are Motherhood
BraveLove is a national non-profit charity organization whose mission is to change the perception of adoption through honest, informative and hopeful communication that conveys the heroism and bravery a birth mother displays when she places her child with a loving family through adoption. In honor of National Adoption Month, BraveLove has recently released the video, […]
Surrendering a Baby In a Safe Place
MichiganRadio.org, invited Paula Springer, Director of AAI’s Eastern Michigan office, to talk about Michigan’s Safe Delivery of Newborns Law on their “Stateside” podcast. The law allows parents to anonymously surrender their newborn in a safe place, no questions asked. Every once in a while, you hear a news report about a newborn infant left in […]
Blog Talk Radio Podcast Transcript: Adoption Plan
One year ago Ashleigh delivered a beautiful baby boy and placed him into the loving arms of a couple that she carefully selected to be his parents. In this podcast Ashleigh reflects upon her decision to place her son for adoption, and she reveals the top 5 things she wishes every adoptive parent knew. Ashleigh also has […]
In the month that we celebrate Adoption and Gratitude, this seems fitting!
In the past week, thousands of families, professionals, and adoption advocates have stepped forward through AdoptionTaxCredit.org to share how the adoption tax credit makes a difference. Congress has heard your voices loud and clear. We hope that advocates across the country are encouraged to see that your voices have effected change. The journey is not over, though. […]
CELEBRATING NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH – TV Interview
November is national adoption awareness month, when adoptive families are honored and other families are invited to learn more about adoption. Sarah Jaeger of The CW46 WBSF had the opportunity to sit-down with Jonathan and Amber a local family that has adopted four times, along with Jennifer Jaworski a representative of Adoption Associates an agency […]
URGENT! The Adoption Tax Credit is currently at risk!
We really need your help over the next week to successfully ensure Congress has heard from our entire community that we want them to Save the Adoption Tax Credit. If you have not done so, please contact your Congressional Representatives in the House and Senate. It only takes a moment to participate, to let your […]
NOVEMBER – IS NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH
To help you celebrate “Adoptive Families” magazine has put together a calendar with 30 way to celebrate adoption. To download a pdf copy click on this link – https://www.adoptivefamilies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-adoption-awareness-calendar.pdf
Inspirational, Heartwarming, Enjoyable
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Uniting Hearts Creating Families Gala this past Saturday evening – what a special time! There was: Fierce competition for amazing auction items! A fun mystery envelope raffle Hearty, delicious food An inspiring, uplifting keynote message (Click here for a sampling) And most importantly, overwhelming support for […]
Help Save the Adoption Tax Credit
With nearly 112,000 children in U.S. foster care waiting to be adopted and countless orphaned and abandoned children around the world, the adoption tax credit helps families afford adoption, giving loving, safe, permanent homes to as many children as possible. But now, Congress is considering eliminating the adoption tax credit, raising the cost of adoption […]
Dianne’s Adoption Story
My name is Dianne. I’m 39 years old. I can’t remember a time in my life when I was more confused or more afraid than when I found out I was pregnant. I chose to release my baby for adoption. I had so much support during and even after my unplanned pregnancy. I was surprised […]
China Heritage/Volunteer Trip
A heritage tour is a memorable journey that your child will cherish forever. Adoption Associates is in the beginning stages of coordinating a 10-day heritage and orphanage volunteer trip to China for adoptive families. We would love for you to join us! Click here for the itinerary! Click here for the registration form! If you […]
Join Us at the Annual Gala – October 21
We would love to have you join us on October 21 at our annual Gala! Contact Kendra to attend this wonderful event with friends, family, delicious food, awesome auction items you won’t want to miss, and appearing for the first time, keynote speaker Lucas Daniel Boyce. Lucas is a published author, political strategist and professional […]
Weekend Retreat for Adoptive & Foster Moms
Reserve your spot now for the next Woven by Love Retreat, January 19-21, 2018! This revitalizing weekend is designed especially for adoptive and foster moms to give them a chance to refresh and connect with others. Check out their website for details: Woven by Love, and watch their inspirational video here.
Have a Safe Sleep
Governor Rick Snyder has declared September 2017 as Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month in Michigan to highlight the importance of preventing sleep-related infant deaths. A baby in Michigan dies nearly every other day due to sleeping in an unsafe sleep environment – that’s over 150 babies every year. Sleep-related infant deaths are the leading cause of death for […]
Explore Adoption Event!
Join us in our Farmington Hills location to ‘Explore Adoption’ on Monday, November 6, 2017, at 7:00 pm. A panel of local adoptive families will be sharing their experiences. Adoption Associates’ staff will be on hand to provide valuable information about the Domestic Infant and International Adoption programs and to answer your questions. For more […]
Double Blessing
Twins Christoph and Christopher are extremely grateful to know that their birth mother loved them so much that she made an adoption plan for them. “We thank her each and every day.” At seventeen years old, their birth mom was becoming a teen mom in a hard living situation. Christoph and Christopher recognize the sacrifice […]
Annual 5k Coming Soon!
Our “Touched by Adoption” 5k is just around the corner on Saturday, August 26th! There is still time to register: Register Here! The Kids FUN RUN starts at 9am and the 5k at 9:30am. We have a lot of fun activities planned, so bring the whole family! This is a big event, and we couldn’t […]
Fall Gala – Reserve Your Seat!
Please come and join us on October 21, 2017, at 6:00 pm, for an evening filled with fun, food, and fellowship! The event will be held at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A formal dinner will be served and we will hold a silent auction, as well as a mystery envelope auction. […]
Surprise!
Life is filled with many surprises and the arrival of a new baby is always an unexpected one. But in the world of adoption, “surprise” takes on a whole new meaning. For those adopting domestically, there is often not much notice when that long awaited call comes from the agency. And, what better way to […]
Adopted From Abroad? Tell Us Your Food Stories
If you were adopted internationally, you might be interested in participating in a food study. Here is an article we found on The Salt, at NPR. Click HERE to see the article posted by The Salt at NPR!
Children Need Your Voice!
The article below was posted by the National Council For Adoption on July 1, 2017. We are reaching out to ask for your support of the proposed legislation that would “transform the understanding of the rights of unparented children”. “This legislation provides an important opportunity to take a giant step in the direction of honoring […]
Whitecaps Game – Sponsored by AAI
Adoption Associates is sponsoring a West Michigan Whitecaps Game on Wednesday, July 26, 2017! Game time is 7:00 pm. AAI will be holding a ticket contest for 4 free tickets/per family for up to 5 families. Entries will be accepted from Friday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 12. Drawing will be held on Thursday, July […]
Transracial Adoption Research Study
The National Council For Adoption (NCFA) has asked adoption agencies to share the below research study survey link. The survey is being conducted to better understand the scope and effects of bullying on children ages 9 to 16 years old who were adopted into transracial families. “Dear Parents and Students, I am conducting a research […]
The Gift of Life – Ryan’s Adoption Story
Ryan has never met his birth mother who put him up for adoption when she realized she faced an unplanned pregnancy. Now 30 years old, Ryan was placed with his adoptive family as a baby. Ryan shares his feelings not only about his adoption, but the admiration he feels for his birth mother. He eloquently […]
Ganai’s Adoption Story
I decided to plan adoption for my child to give him something I couldn’t provide: my full attention. The love for him I have is free and bountiful. Yes, I would have been able to scrape together food, clothes and shelter for him, but in the end my full attention would not have been there […]
Save the Date!
Please come and join us on October 21, 2017, at 6:00 pm, for an evening filled with fun, food, and fellowship! Our keynote speaker is Lucas Daniel Boyce, a published author, political strategist and professional speaker. Part of his current responsibilities include providing written content and serving as a surrogate to a number of clients and […]
How do adult adoptees feel about their adoption? Here is one man’s story.
Ryan Jon has never met his biological mum, but if he ever came face-to-face with her the first thing he would say to her is “thank you”. “My parents were told they wouldn’t have children but now they’re my mum and dad. They’re awesome, they’ve given me a great life and I’ll love them forever.” He told […]
Save the Adoption Tax Credit!
With nearly 112,000 children in U.S. foster care waiting to be adopted and countless orphaned and abandoned children around the world, the adoption tax credit helps families afford adoption, giving loving, safe, permanent homes to as many children as possible. But now, Congress is considering eliminating the adoption tax credit, raising the cost of adoption […]
Annual 5K Run/Walk August 26, 2017
Adoption Associates’ annual Touched by Adoption 5K Run/Walk is scheduled for August 26, 2017. Join us at Bogue Flats Recreation Area for this fun-filled event, and help us celebrate and honor birth mothers who planned adoption. Saturday, August 26, 2017 9:00 am Kids Fun Run | 9:30 am 5K Run/Walk Bogue Flats Recreation Area Portland, […]
Reserve your seat now for our Spring Gala!
The Uniting Hearts / Creating Families Annual Spring Fundraising Gala will be held Friday, April 28, 2017, at Meadowbrook Country Club, 40941 W. 8 Mile Road, Northville, Michigan. Doors open at 6:00 pm with a silent auction and progressive dining stations. Dessert will be served and there will be a brief program at 7:30 pm. Auction […]
Regarding Recent Immigration Ban
We want to reassure you that we have not received any notifications from the Department of State regarding the recent immigration ban, nor have child placing agencies been made aware of any changes regarding immigration that would impact internationally adopted children, the immigration process, and/or their subsequent US Citizenship. Please visit the DOS website for […]
Adoption of 15 year old boy from Ethiopia
CALL FOR HELP UPDATE The donations are in and we are grateful to announce a total of $3,465 was received for the adoption expenses of the 15-year old, hearing impaired boy from Ethiopia. In addition to the funds raised here, AAI has been able to provide a grant to the adoptive family, which will further […]
Help Save Adoption!: Advocacy Day TODAY 11-15-16
As you may know, the U.S. Department of State has proposed new regulations that may significantly impact international adoption. While National Council For Adoption supports some of the themes these proposed regulations set out to address, the impact of these rules is worrisome to adoptive families and adoption professionals. That’s why we need your voice […]
Please Help Save International Adoption
Last year, the Department of State (DOS) hosted a conference for 100 adoption service providers, “to learn more about the needs of the adoption community, and to discuss [our] new intercountry adoption strategy,” a DOS report reads. Chuck Johnson, president of the National Council for Adoption, was present at that conference. “We were delighted to hear that […]
National Adoption Month Celebration in November!
Adoptive Family Support Network’s biggest Adoption Celebration yet in honor of their 25th Anniversary of supporting families! Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate National Adoption Month with an afternoon packed full of fun at West Michigan’s Largest Adoption Event! Live entertainment includes the interactive Cooperfly Puppet Troupe and DeeJay the Clown. There will be a photo booth, […]